🔗 Share this article Pacific Bluefin Tuna Sells for Record Price of 3.2 million dollars at Tokyo Auction A familiar auction figure is a regular participant at the traditional event. A massive Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the year. The top offer for the 243-kilogram fish was placed by the operator of a popular sushi restaurant group, which operates restaurants across the country and overseas. "The first tuna signals good luck," remarked the entrepreneur, a familiar bidder at the yearly January sale. Known as the Tuna King, this entrepreneur is noted for submitting high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic January auctions. Auction Shock and Record-Setting Past Following the auction, the winner admitted to reporters that he was "astonished at the winning bid," adding, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price skyrocketed in no time." This new purchase surpasses his own record purchases: He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back in 2012. He spent 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m). Despite previously commenting that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to break his personal record another time. A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically characterized by sky-high prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by another food company, which stated the fish would be featured at its eateries across Japan. The frenetic activity at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a major tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no different. Immediate Consumption The extremely valuable tuna was promptly prepared for diners at the bidder's sushi establishments immediately after the auction ended. "I believe like I've commenced the year in a auspicious way after eating something so auspicious as the year gets underway," shared one elated customer.
A familiar auction figure is a regular participant at the traditional event. A massive Pacific bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, achieving a record-breaking bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2m; £2.4m) during the market's inaugural auction of the year. The top offer for the 243-kilogram fish was placed by the operator of a popular sushi restaurant group, which operates restaurants across the country and overseas. "The first tuna signals good luck," remarked the entrepreneur, a familiar bidder at the yearly January sale. Known as the Tuna King, this entrepreneur is noted for submitting high bids for premium bluefin tuna at these symbolic January auctions. Auction Shock and Record-Setting Past Following the auction, the winner admitted to reporters that he was "astonished at the winning bid," adding, "I expected we would be able to purchase it a little for less, but the price skyrocketed in no time." This new purchase surpasses his own record purchases: He secured a tuna for 56.5 million yen back in 2012. He spent 155 million yen in 2013. In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1m). Despite previously commenting that he thought he "bid too high," he has now proceeded to break his personal record another time. A Tradition of Exorbitant Bids The opening auction at the Tokyo fish market is typically characterized by sky-high prices. In the prior year, the initial tuna was bought for 207 million yen by another food company, which stated the fish would be featured at its eateries across Japan. The frenetic activity at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a major tourist attraction in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which commenced around 05:00 local time, was no different. Immediate Consumption The extremely valuable tuna was promptly prepared for diners at the bidder's sushi establishments immediately after the auction ended. "I believe like I've commenced the year in a auspicious way after eating something so auspicious as the year gets underway," shared one elated customer.